Brushing machine



Nov. 30 1926.

I 1,609,228 J. H. WALCOTT BRUSHING MACHINE 5 Sheet s-Sheet 1 Filed Dec.1, 1925 [721267030 7" mic 2567770175. WQ ZG 02% 59 EM @Zwhyfi .w

Nov. 30,1926. 1,609,228

' J. H. WALCOTT BRUSHING MACHINE Filed Dec. 1. 1925' 5 Sheets-Sheet 2Nov) 30,192 7 1,609,228

. J. H. WALCOTT Y BRUSHING MACHINE Filed Dec. 1, 1925 5 Sheet sS heet 5Nov. 30,1926 1,609,228

.1. H. WALCOTT BR'USHING MACHINE Nov. 30, 1926. I 1,609,228

J. H. WALCOTT BRUSHING MACHINE Filed Dec. 1. 1925 5 Sheets-Sheet 5715022670207" L765 6,0741% WwZc 0?? Patented Nov. 30, I926,

" i UNITED STATES PAT Eur ore-ice.

Josnrn n wanoo'rr, or man, uassacnusnr'rs, assrenon. To immunnr'nomr'son COMPAHY, OF SALEM, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION O]?MASSACHUSETTS.

. nnusrrmq'mncnmn.

- Application fl led December- This invention pertains to apparatus forbrushing sheet material and more particularly a machine for 'use infinishing leather. One of the final stepslin the manufacture of certaingrades of leather consists'in subjecting the finished surface of thematerial to the action of a brush, usually a-power driven rotary brush,which raises the fiber i of the leather to a very slight extent andifmpa'rts a subdued gloss to thefinished surace. Y Commonly thisbrushing operation involves much manual shifting of the skin relatively-to the brush in order that all portions of the skin may receive thedesired finish. This consumes time and requires skill on the part of theworkman, thus adding materially to the cost of production, and eventhough care be exercised, it is substantially impossible to brush allparts of the skin to the same degree. Since-the skins are of relativelysmall extent, ascompared for, example with textile fabrics, paper, etc.which may be produced in rolls of great len th, and since the 5 marginalportions of the s in are irregular,

wrinkled and of varying thickness it. has

. heretofore been deemed impossible to ohtain' the desired effect by asingle continuous passage of the skin in contact with, a rotating brush.One difliculty met within at tempting tocarry' out the operation in thatway is that of moving the skin' past the brushin a uniform manner, sinceif .the brush revolve toward the advancing skin the forward edge of, theskin may be caught and rolled back into folds and wrinkles upon firstcontact with the brush, while on the otherhand if the brush revolve inthe direction of movement of the skin'therear margin of the skin will beswept on by the brush and if not actually gathered into folds orwrinkles will move so nearly at the speed of the brush that nosubstantial brushing action is obtained.

In accordance with my present invention I provide mechanism which causesthe skin to make asi'ngle uninterrupted pass in contact with powerdriven brushing means, such brushing means being so actuated that whilebrushing all parts of the skin uniformly it does not tend to wrinkle'theskin-or otherwise to interfere with its proper and ord'erl y movement.

While I have herein made particular ref- 1, 1925. Serial No. 72,562. J

erence to the brushing of skins of leather, I contemplate that myimproved mechanism may be found. useful in equivalent treat-.

ments of other materials occurring in sheets of relatively small sizeand determinate length, forexample individual sheets of paper, smallsections oftextile. fabric, etc.

In the accompanying drawings I have illustrated a preferred embodimentof the in-- vention by way of example and in such drawings, 7 v

Fig. l is an elevation of the machine showing the parts in normal"position;

Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the machine;

Fig. 3 is a plan view, certain parts being omitted;

Fig. 4 is a vertical section substantially on the line 44 of .Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a vertical section substantially on the line 55 of Fig. 3; T

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary section on th line 66 of Fig. 5

.Fig.'-7 is an elevation similar to Fig. 1

omitting certain features and showing the parts in thepositionwhich theyoccupy in brushing the rearmost part of the skin;

Fig. Sis a fragmentary vertical section, to large scale, through thework supporting table, illustrating the means for providing an aircushion under the'finaterialy Fig. 9 is a fragmentary section throughthe delivery table showing the feeler mem-.

and 2 indicate the right and left hand frame members of the machine.These frame members are held in spaced relation by suitable girders andsupport the shelf or table 3 which carries the driving motor 4. Suitablebrackets are mounted upon the rear part of this table 3 and supportbeanmgs for a shaft 5. This shaft carries a plurality of arms 6 whosefree extremities p 65 bf the left hand end are rovided 'with journalbearings for a drivmg shaft 7. The shaft7 is thus supported for bodily.swinging movement in .an arcuate path and tends to swing downwardly bygravity.

The shaft of the motor "4 is furnished with. a sprocket wheel 8 whichdrives a sprocket chain 9.engaging a s rocket wheel 10 on the'shaft-7.The shaftis furnished near its opposite ends with belt pulleys 11 and 12respectively. While I prefer to em- 7 ploy a ulley at each end ofthemachine it is possi is that one such pulley may be found to besufficient for the purpose A shaft 13 'is mounted at its opposite endsin bearings carried by the fraine, members 1 and 2 respectively Neareach end of the shaft 13 is' fixedly secured a brush support 9 ing yokeframe 14. These yoke frames are of identical shape and each comprisesoppositely directed fork arms WhlCh support bearings 15 and 16,preferably of g-imbal type. The bearings 15 and) 16 ofthe two yokeframes support brush shafts 17 and 18- respectively. The brush shaft 17is furnishedat opposite ends with belt pulleys 19 (Fig. 3) while thebrush shaft 18 is furnished with similar belt pulleys 20 at its oppositeends. Tothat end of each yoke frame which carries therow in Fig. 4-andthus turn the shaft 17 in a clockwise direction, as viewed .in saidfigureyand turn the shaft 18 in the opposite.

' direction since the belts pass above the pulleys 19 and beneath'thepulleys 20.

An inclined work support 25 1s disposed immediately beneath the shaft13, such work support extending substantially from one 'end of themachine to the other and inclined downwardly from front to rear. A feedtable 24 is arranged at the front of the machine, the rear end of thefeed table being substantiallyin the horizontal plane of the forwardedge of the work support 25 but spaced from. the latter. At the rear ofthe machine a downwardly inclined delivery table 26is arranged, theupperedge of which is preferably slightly below the rear edge of.

the work. support 25 and spaced from the latter for a purpose,hereinafter described.

The shafts 17'and 18 carry the brushes 27 and 28 respectively.Preferably the bristles of these brushes are disposed in a spiral or fhelical arrangement as indicated in Fig. 3

strain on the fabric tending'to stretch it sidewise as it passes fromfront to rear through the-machine. In .the normal position of the'partsthe yoke frames 14 are disposed as shown 'in Figs. 4 and 5 so that therush 27 is in substantial-contact with the upper surface of the support25 while the brush 28 is raised from the work support. A driven feedroll shaft 125 is journalled at its opposite ends in bearings,preferably of gimbal type, carried by the members 1 and 2 of the frame.This shaft is disposed in the space between the rear edge of the feedtable 24 and the forward edge of the work support 25 and carries a feedroll 126 which comprises a series of spaced roller sections 127, suchsections preferably being made of felt or similar resilient material.

. A second driven feed roll shaft 128 is likewise journalledin suitablebearings supported by the end frame members 1 and 2,

such shaft being disposed between the rear 1 edge of the work 'support25and the forwardedge of the delivery table 26. This shaft 128 isfurnished with a feed roll 129 similar to the roll 126, that is to saypreferably comprising a series of spaced resilient ro'll'sections. I

Beneath the. work support 25 parallel shafts'30 and 31 are supported.The shaft 30 is provided with a pair .of bracket arms 32 andthe shaft 31supports similar arms 33. The bracket arms 32 support a rollshaft 34carrying apressure feed roll preferably consisting of a series of'spacedresilient roll sections 35 corresponding to the roll sections 127 of thedriven feed roll 126. The sections-35 are disposed=oppositely to thcorresponding sections 127.

The brackets. 33 likewise support a pressure roll shaft 36 carrying aseries of pressure roll elements 37 which are disposed oppositely toandcooperate with the sections of feed roll 129. I y X The feedrollshafts and 128 are furnished. with sprocket wheels 38 and 38respectively. A sprocket chain 39 engages these sprocket wheels, passingupwardly from wheel 38 and over an idler wheel 40. then down. beneath asprocket wheel 41 mounted on a shaft 41 suitably supported bythe-machine frame, thence down over the sprocket wheel 38,v then arounda sprocket wheel 42 mounted upon a suitable stub shaft carried by one ofthe swinging arms 6 and then back to the wheel 38. The sprocket wheel 42is attached to a large gear 43 which meshes with asmaller gear 44 fixedto the shaft 7. ,The chain 39 is driven in the direction of the arrow Ain Fig. 4 and thus turns the feed rolls" 126 and 129 in acounterclockwise direction as viewed in Fig.

A sprocket wheel 45 is connected to the ill) 5. The feed rolls aredriven slowly as comv pared wlth the speed of the brushes. in suchmanner that they exert a lateral.

a chain 46 which in turn drives a shaft 47 suitably journalled' at itsopposite ends in the yoke frames 14 and whichv carries a.- brush 48.This brush is of small diameter as compared with the brushesf27and 28and turns, in thesame direction as the brush 27.

' This brush 48 is closely adjacent to the rear part in brush 27 and isintended to prevent the material. as it passes beneath the brush 27 fromfollowing the latter upwardly from the work support. a J.-

The delivery-table 26 is furnished at a point preferably substantiallyintermediate its lateral ends with a slot 49 which receives a feeler 50.This feeler is preferably in the form of a freely turningwheel or rollcarried by a shaft 51 mounted in a resiliently supported bracket 52."The bracket 52 is furnished'with a contact 53 constituting one elementof an electricalswitch. Thisccntact is adapted normally to engage a com-.whether of normally closed or normally open type, may be used. Thecontact member 53 is connected to ,a conductor 55 while the othercontact 54 is connected to a conductor 56. Theseconductorsreceive.elec-- trical energy from any suitable source, forexample a battery B, and are connected at their other ends to theterminals ofan electromagnet device hereinafter described.

A pressure roll 57 mounted upon a shaft 58 cooperates with the feelerroll to hold the advancing material in contact with the latter. .Theshaft 58 is carried by a swinging arm pivotally supported at 59 upon.asuitable bracket 60 attached to the machine frame. A spring 61 bears atone end against a portion of the bracket 60 and at its other against anadjustable nut 62 carried by a rod 63 secured'to thepivoted arm whichcarries the shaft 58. The spring 61 thus tends to.

--force the wheel 57 against the wheel 50 with a pressure which may beadjusted'by turningthe nut 62.

Theedge of the wheel 57 is preferably furnished with a circumferentialgroove 64 57 is driven in a clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 45

At the rear part of the machine I arrange a shaft 69 which issupportedat its opposite .ends in bearings carried'bv the frame. members 1 and 2.This shaft is preferably provided with a plurality of upwardly andrearwardly extending arms 70 which support a shaft 71 which constitutesa counterweight for the parts 'next to be described. The shaft 69 alsocarries a plurality of forwardly directed preferably-curved arms 72which support a shield 73 preferably of sheet metal and preferablycurved concentrically with the axis ofthe shaft 69. This shield 'extendslengthwise of the machine and inthe normal position of the parts asshown in Fig. 5 is interposed between the brush 28 and the upper surfaceof the work support 25. A a

, Referring more particularly to Figs. 1 and 7 the shafts l3 and 69 arefurnished with crank arms 74 and 75 respectively at the outer siderofthe frame member 2.

A. motor, for example a compressed air cyl-' inder 76, is secured to theouter side of the frame member 2, such motor also comprising a valvechest 77 containing a slide valve of any suitable type having anactuating stem 78. A pipe 7 7 conducts comprested air from any suitablesource to' the valve chest 77.

The valve stem 78 is connected by means of a rod 79 to the core 80 of;solenoid 81. VYhile I prefer to employ a so enoid for the purpose, I mayif desired use any other suitable electromagnetic device capable ofreciprocating the valve stem in the desired manner. The terminals bfthis solenoid are connected to the conductor wires 55 and 56 abovedescribed, the arrangement being such that while the contact member 53carried by feeler roll 50 engages the contact 54 the circuit is closedthrough the solenoid thus energizing the latter. and holding up the core80 and thus the rod 79 and valve stem 78 whereby to admit pressure fluidto the upper end of the-cylinder 76. A spring 82 encircles the rod 79,bearing at its= .npper end against a bracket 83 and at its lo er endagainst an adjustable nut 84 carried. the rod 79. This spring thustends-to move the rod 79 downwardly when the solenoid is de- (Fig. 6)which receives a circumferential energized by separation of contacts 53and "rib 65 on the feeler roll 50. This arrangement makes itsubstantially impossible for the material to pass between the' pressureroll 57 and the feeler roll- 50 without depressing the latter below itsnormal position. In order that the material may feed between the rolls50 and57 without difiiculty I prefer to drive the roll 57 positively andfor this purpose provide it with a pulley which receives a-belt 67engaging a pulley carried by the shaft 36. As thus arranged the roll 54and the tension {of this spring may be varied by turning the nut 84.

A piston (not shown) within the cylinde 76 is furnished with a piston j.rod 85 to which a yoke lever 87 .is pivotally secured at the point 86.The pivotal connection between the piston rod and the yoke 87 is at apoint intermediate the ends of the latter, preferably substantially atits center. One end of the yoke lever87 is connected byneans of. a rod88 to the crank arm 74 on the shaft at its upper end against a fixedstop 90 projecting from the frame 2 and at its lower end against anadjustable nut 92 having threaded engagement with the rod 88. Thisspring thus tends to oppose upward movement of the rod 88. I a.

The rod 89 passes through a guide opening in a fixed stop 93 secured tothe frame 2, and a spring 94v which encircles the rod 89 bears at itslower end against this fixed stop.- The upper end of the spring 94 bearsagainst an a'djustable nut 95 having threaded en-' gagement with the rod89. The spring 94 thus tends to oppose downward'movement of therod 89.

Preferably the spring 91 is somewhat heavier than the spring 94 but inany event the relative tensions of these springs may be varied byturning the adjusting nuts 92 and 95.

Movement of the crank arm 74 is limited by means of adjustable stops 96and 97 the arm normally resting against the stop 96. Likewise movementof the crank arm is limited by stops 98 and 99 and the arm normallybears against the stop 98.

Referring to Fig. 8 I'prefer to provide the work support 25 with atransverse recess at a point substantially midway its front and rearedges and in.this recess I seat an, air distributing box 100.' This boxpreferably consists of a bar having a longitudinal passage 1.01 fromwhich series of nozzle openings 102 and 103 lead. These nozzle openingsare directed rearwardly so that fluid discharged therethrough may assistthe material in moving rearwardly over the work support. The passage 101is connected to a pipe 104 which may conveniently be connected to thepipe 77 to receive compressed air therefrom.

The operation of the machine is substantially as follows, it beingassumed that the motor 4 is running, that air at suitable pressure issupplied to the pipe 77, and that the circuit through the solenoid isclosed between the contacts 53 and 54.

The workman lays a skin upon the table 24 and pushes it rearwardly untilit is gripped between the pressure roll 35 and the driven feed roll 126.Since the pressure roll is free to rise it readily grips the advancingedge of the material and since the feed and pressure rolls compriseseries of spaced roll elements they secure a firm grip upon thematerialand if the material is full at any part the spaced roll elementspermit the fullness to gather between the sections thus preventing therolls from pressing wrinkles into the skin.

The material is now moved rearwardly by the feed rolls over the uppersurface of the table 25 until it comes into contact with the brush 27Since this brush is turning in the direction of advance of the fabric ithas no tendency to wrinkle the fabric but on the other hand its bristlesstroke the fabric from its center outwardly and assist in advancing itrearwardly through the machine. As the advancing edge leaves the roll 27it is held down by the brush48 so that it does not follow the roll 27.

The nozzle openings 102 and 103 deliver a film of air upon the uppersurface of the table and as the advancing edge of the fabric passes overthe air distributing box 100 it is slightly lifted from the table sothat any tendency of the fabric to adhere to the Ta ble through theaction of static-electricity or otherwise is overcome and the fabricsubstantially floats upon the air cushion thus provided. The materialcontinues to advance and its advancing edge passes beneath the shield 73which at this time is interposed between the brush 28 and the uppersurface of the table, The material is thus shielded from contact withthe brush. 28, which it will be remembered rotates in. a directionopposite to the travel of the fabric. Theadvancing edge of the materialis ultimately gripped between the rear feed rolls 37 and 129 whichimmediately begin to exert a tension upon the material and feed it intoengagement with the feeler roll 50, depressing the latter until thecontact 53 separates from the contact 54. I

The switch is'thus opened and the solenoid 81 is deenergized, permittingthe valve rod 79 to drop and thereby admitting air to the the entiremovement of the piston rod is at first transmitted to the rod 89, thusrapidly swinging the crank arm 75 upwardly and removing the shield 73from below the brush 28. After the crank arm 75 engages the stop 99, thefurther movement of the piston rod 85 compresses the spring 91 andswings the crank 74 upwardly, thus tilting the yoke frames-14 so thatthe brush 27 is raised to inoperative position while the brush 28 ismoved downwardl into contact with the material. Sincethe orward portionof the material is nowgripped between the feed rollers- 37 and 129 theaction of the brush 28 is to stroke the material in a direction awayfrom its center and opposite to its movement through the machine thussmoothing out any wrinkles in the rear portion of the material as itcontinues to advance.

When the rear edge of the material is delivered from between the rolls50 and 57 the roll 50 immediately rises, closing the circuit at thecontacts 53 and 54 and thus causing the solenoid to restore the valverod 79 to frame 74V to its :normalposition and restoring the brushes 27.and 28 'to' the position shown "in Fig. ,5. Since the spring*94 opgosesdownward movement of the rod 89 the rst effect; of the downward movementof the piston rod is as above stated to swing the yoke frame 14 back tonormal position-but after the yoke frame has resumed its normal Iposition and the crank arm 74 engages the;

' sto 96, the. further movement of the piston 0 re is transmitted to therod- 89 thus restoring the-shield to its normal position as shown inFig. 5.

place very rapidly so that skins may be Y5 passed in rapid successionthrough the machinewithout "'interruption. Since' the brushes 27 and 28operate successively: to

stroke the material from its center downwardy in oppositedirections'there is no tendency towrinkle orcurl the fabric and asubstantially uniform brushing'of the surface is obtained. "In fact thisbrushing is -much more uniform than can be produced v by hand methodssince each portion of the surface is subjected to a brushing operationof substantiall the same. duration. In'Fig. 12- have shown the machineas 7 provided with suitable means for piling the.

skins as they are delivered after the 'brusn- .xin'goperation iscompleted.- Referring to this'figure the delivery table of the brushingapparatus is indicated by the numeral 26. This table delivers the skins.onto a series of parallel spaced endless belts 105 passing over; upon adrivingdrum 106 which is constantly driven from'the main drive shaft ofthemachine. These belts alsolpass around an idler drum carried by ashaft 107 supported on a bracket 108. .The mechanism also comprises a'supporting bracket 109 carrying aswinging frame 110 which supports aseries-of spaced fingers 111 normally occupying the .fulllineposition'of Fig.- 12. As thus ar-.

ranged each of the fingers 111 is disposed between twoadjacent belts"105 and just below the upper runs of said belts. The frame 110 alsocarries pairs of normally open jaws 112, one jaw of each pair being disosed beneath the plane 'of the upper runs 0 the belts 105 and the otherj aw being above this plane. A- sprin 113'nolmally holds the frame 110-in the line position of Fig. 4 and the movement of the frame from' thisposition is limite'd'bya stop device 114. 6 At a suitable point withinthe frame of 's::ri bed,' thus admitting air tov the cylinder to movethe jaws'112 are closed by any suit- ;zles .102 and-103 forfloating theskin as it moves rearwardly through the machine, I contemplate thatother devices having the action of-the feeler, a normally openedcirdisposed adjacent to the-jaws 112 and i570 adapted to be 'engaged'by'the edge of a skin "advancing downwardly of" belts 105,; When thisfeeler is engaged by the skin it actuates an electrical switch insubstantially the same way as does the feeler 50 above dei'l 115anddriving tl'iepiston lfioutwardly until the frame 110 assuines the dottedline position'indicated at 117. As the frame starts able mechanism andcaused to-grip thes and as the frame 110-swings thearms 111,

together. with the jaws 112 turn relatively to the frame until the skinis inverted and assumes'th'e position of the skin 118 in Fig. 12. Thejaws 112 are-now released whereupon a y: the arms 111 swing in aclockwise direction- The above sequence of operations takes leaving theskin 118 upon the pile P and the frame 110 returns to its normalposition ready to receive anotherskin. a

The piling. device herein disclosed is 'intended as illustrative ofpiling; devices of any usual typeand it is to be understood that pilingdevices of other kinds suitable for the purpose may be substitutedtherefor is de-- sired.

Although as herein described I prefer to use an air cushion deliveredthrough the nozsame purpose may be. substituted therefor, for example, Imay if desired provide an endless belt...constituting a moving supportextending substantially from the forward feed roll 126 to the rearfeedroll 128 and upon whose, upper surface the skin may -be supportedthroughout the" brushing opera tion.

While the machine has been shown asdriven by a motor mountedupon themachine frame it is obviousthat the shaft .7 might be driven by someexternal power source and while a fluid motor has'been de.-; scribed asdesirable for shifting the brush carrying frame any suitablemechanically driven element might be employed for the same purpose.Moreover, instead of a normally closed electrical circuit opened by the12o cuit closed by the feeler could obviously be employed. I do DOtfwish, therefore, to be limited to the specific embodiment of the devicehere shown but merely by the scope of the appended claims, I claim: 1.Apparatus ofthe class described comprising means for advancing a pieceof sheet material, means for supporting said, sheet and power drivenmeans for brushing said 'mate- 130 rial from its central ortion outwardin op-- power driven means posits directions, sai A brushing the forwardortion of the sheet in the direction of motion of the advancingmaterial, and thereafter automatically shifting to brush the followingportion in theop- 'posite direction.

- material having an advancing edge and afollowing edge, and means forbrushing the surface of said material while so moving,

said brushing means stroking the forward portion of the advancingmaterial in the direction of its advance and the rear portion of theadvancing material in the opposite direction, and means responsive tothe position of the material for automatically reversing the effectivedirection of the stroking means.

4. Apparatus of the class described comprising means for imparting aforward movementto a skin, and means for brushing the surface of theskin while so moving, said brushing means stroking the forward portionof the skin in'one direction and the rearportion of the skin in anotherdirection,

. and means actuated by the position of the skin for changing thedirection of the stroking action;

5. Apparatus of the class described com: prising means for supporting apiece of sheet material, a plurality of brushes, and means actuated bythe position of the material in the device for moving said brushesrelatively to the surface'of the material, said brushesactingsuccessively to stroke the material outwardly from its central portionin different directions.

6. Apparatus of the class described comprising. means for imparting aforward movement to a skin, and means for brushing the surface of theskin while so moving, said brushing means being actuated automaticallyto stroke the forward portion of the skin in the direction'of itsadvance and to stroke the rear..portion of the skin in a dliirectionopposite to the movement of the s in.

v 7 Apparatus of the class described com prising means for moving askin. and means for brushing the surface of the skin while so moving,said brushing means comprising brush elements moving in oppositedirections, and means actuated by the position of said skin'to bring thedesired rush element into contact with said skin.

8. Apparatus of the class described comprising means for moving a skinand means for brushing the surface of the skin while so moving, saidbrushing means comprising independent brush elements, and means ac-,tuated by the position of the skin for moving said brush elementsalternately into contact with the skin.

' 9. Apparatus of the class described comprising means forimparting aforward movement to a skin, a pivoted frame, rotary brushes journalledin the frame at opposite sides of its pivotal axis, automatic meansresponsive to the position of said skin for swinging the framewherebyalternately to bring the brushes into' contact with the surfaceof the material, and means for turning the brushes in oppositedirections.

10. Apparatus of the class described comprising means for imparting aforward movement to a skin, a pivoted frame, rotary prising means forimparting a forward movement to a skin, a pivoted frame, a pair ofbrushes carried thereby, and automatic means for swinging the frame asthe skin advances to bring one brush into contact with one portion ofthe skin and thereafter when the skin has advanced to a predeterminedpoint to bring the other brush into contact with the skin.

12. Apparatus of the class described comprising means for imparting aforward movement to a skin, a pivoted frame, rotary brushes journalledin the frame at opposite sides of its pivotal axis, means for rotatingthe brushes in opposite directions. the brush first encountered by theadvancing skin turning in the direction of movement of the skin. meansnormally holding the frame in position to cause said latter brush firstto engage the skin, and automatic means for tilting the frame when theskin has advanced to a predetermined point for bringing the other brushinto contact with the skin.

13. Apparatus of the class described com prising means for moving a skinand means for brnshingthe surface of the skin while so moving, saidbrushing means comprising Inn a pair of oppositely rotating brushes.means skin forwardly across the support, means maticmeans fordetermining the shift of the brushes.

14:. Apparatus of the class described comprising means for moving a skinand means.

, actuable by the advancing s in for controlling the operation of thebrush shifting means.

15. Apparatus of the class described comprising means for moving a skinand means for brushing the surface of the skin while so moving, saidbrushmg means comprisng pair of oppositely rotating brushes, means formoving the brushes alternately into en-- gagemcnt with the moving skin,and a feeler device responsive to engagement by the advancing edgeofothe skin and by its response controlling the operation of. the brushshifting means. a 16. Apparatus of the class described comprislng meansfor moving a skm and means for brushing the surface of the skin, saidmeans comprising oppositely rotating brushes, means for shifting thebrushes al- .ternately into engagement with the moving skin, and aspring pressed feeler roll movable to abnormal position by'the advancingedge of the skin and by such movement initiating the operation of thebrush shifting means.

17. Apparatus of the class described comprising a support, meansfor'feedlng a for brushing the surface of the advancing skin comprisinga pair of rotary brushes,

means including a fluid motor for shifting the brushes alternately intocontact with the skin, and a feeler device actuable by the moving skinto determine operation of the fluid motor.

18. Apparatus for brushing skins comprising a brush movable fromoperative to inoperative position, a motor for moving the brush. and afeeler device for determining action of the brush, said feeler devicecomprising a bodily movable feeler roll movable from its normal positionby engagement with a skin, and an electrical swlitch actuable by suchmovement of the r0 1.

19. Apparatus of the classdescribed comprising a support, means forfeeding a skin prising a brush bodily movable from operative toinoperative position, a motor for moving the-brush, and a feeler devicevfor determining bodily movement of the brush, said feeler devicecomprising a. bodily movable feeler roll having a circumferential rib,an abutment opposed to said roll having a groove for the reception ofthe rib, the roll being movable away from said abutment by intrusion ofa skin between it and said abutment, and an electrical switch actuableby such movement of the roll. v

21. Apparatus of the class described comprising a support means forfeeding a skin forwardly across the support, means for brushing thesurface of the advancing skin comprising a pair of rotary brushes, meansfor shifting the brushes alternately into contact with the skin,electromagnetic means for controlling the operation of the brushshifting means, and means controlled by the moving skin for determiningenergization of the electromagnetic means.

22. Apparatus of the class described comprising a support, means forfeeding a skin forwardly across the support, means for brushing thesurface of the advancing skin comprisinga pair of rotary brushes, means,including a fluid motor, for shifting the brushes alternately intocontact with the skin, a controlling valve for the motor, a solenoid foractuating the valve, a switch in the circuit of the solenoid, and afeeler device actuable by the moving skin for operating the switch.

23. Apparatus of the class described comprising means for imparting aforward movement to a skin, a pivoted frame, rotary brushes journalledin the frame at opposite sides of its pivotal axis, means for rotatingthe brushes in opposite directions, and means for tilting the framealternately to bring the respective brushes into contact with the skin,said frame tilting means comprising a spring tending to tip the frame inone direction, a compressed air motor for tilting the frame in theopposite direction, a valve controlling the admission of compressed airto the motor, a solenoid for moving the valve, and a feeler actuated bythe moving skin for determining energization of the solenoid.

24. Apparatus of the class described comprising means for imparting aforward movement to a skin, a pivoted frame, rotary in one direction,stops for limiting the movement of the frame in either direction, amotor for tilting the frame in the opposite direction, and a feelerresponsive to contact with the advancing edge of the skin and by itsresponse initiating the operation of the motor.

25., Apparatus for brushing skins comprising a brush movable fromoperative to inoperative position, a motor for moving the brush, and afeeler device for determiningmovement of the brush, said feeler devlcecomprising a bodily movable feeler roll having a circumferential rib, amovable abutment roll having a circumferential groove for the receptionof said rib, resilient means tending to move the abutment toward theroll, adjustable stop means limiting such movement, said feeler rollmoving away from the abutment roll when a skin is interposed betweenthem, and an electrical switch device actuated by movement of the feelerroll away from the abutment.

26. Apparatus of the class described comprising a work support, a pairof feed rolls adjacent to the forward edge of the worksupport, feedrolls near the rear edge of the work support, brush devices operativerespectively for brushing the forward and rear portions of a skin fedover the support by said feed devices and means for automaticallyshifting the brush devices, whereby the forward portion is brushed inthe direction of motion of the skinand the rear portion is brushed inthe opposite direction.

27. Apparatus of the class described comprising work supporting means, apair of feed rolls adjacent to the forward edge of the work support,feed rolls near the rear edge of the work support, a brush for brushingthe advancing portion of a skin in one direction while it is gripped bythe first pair of feed rolls, and a second brush for brushing the rearportion of the skin in the opposite direction while the latter is beingdrawn along by the second pair of feed rolls.

28. Apparatus of the class described comprising brushing means, a powerdriven feed shaft having a series of axially spaced feed rolls thereon,a second shaft parallel with the first, said second shaft beingsupported for bodily movement toward and from the first, and acomplemental series of feed rolls on the second shaft, the rolls of thesecond shaft normally engaging the rolls of the first shaft.

29. Apparatus of the class described comprising brushing means, a powerdriven feed shaft having a series of axially spaced feed rolls thereon,a second shaft parallel with the first, movable supports for said secondshaft,-said second shaft tending to move by gravity toward the firstshaft, and a series of feed rolls upon the second shaft disposedoppositely to and normally engaging the rolls of the first shaft.

30. Apparatus of the class described comprising brushing means and meansfor feeding a skin thereto, said feeding means comprising a pair ofparallel shafts, and a series of spaced, axially short feed rollsmounted upon each shaft, the rolls of the two shafts being opposed toeach other.

31. Apparatus of the class described comprising a work support, meansfor feeding a skin along the work support, means for brushing the movingskin, and means for preventing adhesion of the moving skin to the worksupport.

32. Apparatus of the class described comprising a work support, meansfor feeding a skin along the work support, means for brushing the movingskin, and means for producing a fluid cushion between the surface of thework support and the skin to prevent adhesion of the skin to thesupport.

33. Apparatus of the class described comprising a work support, meansfor feeding a skin along the work support, means for brushing the movingskin, said support having a. plurality of orifices therein, conduitsleading to said orifices, and means for delivering air under pressure tosaid conduits to form an antifriction fluid cushion between the skin andwork support.

34. Apparatus of the class described comprising a support, means forfeeding a skin forwardly across the suppo t, means for brushing thesurface of the advancing skin comprising a pair of rotary brushes, saidbrushes being so shaped as to exert a lateral tension upon the movingskin, and automatic means responsive to the advancing movement of theskin for moving said brushes.

alternately into contact with the skin.

35. Apparatus of the class described comprising a support, means forfeeding a skin forwardly across the support, means for brushing thesurface of the advancing skin comprising a pair of rotary brushes, eachbrush comprising a shaft having spirally arranged rows of bristlessecured thereto, the spirals extending in opposite pitch from the centerof the shaft outwardly whereby to exert lateral tension upon the skin,and automatic means responsive to the advancing movement of the skin formoving the brushes alternately into contact with the skin.

36. Apparatus of the class described comprising a pair of brushes, meansfor moving said brushes alternately into contact with a skin-to bebrushed, and a shield associated with one of the brushes for positivelypreventing engagement of the skin with the brush. when said brush is ininoperative position.

37. Apparatus of the class described comprising means for imparting aforward,

movement to askin, a pivoted frame, rotary brushes journalled in theframe at opposite sides of its pivotal axis, a shield interposablebetween one of the brushes and the skin, and

common means for tilting the frame and for the skin when the brush is inmoving the shield into on out from between the brush and skin,

38. Apparatus of the class described comprising a support, means forfeeding a skin forwardly across the support, means for brushing theSurface of the advancing skin comprising a' pair of rotary brushes,means for shifting the brushes alternately into contact with the skin, ashield associated with one of said-brushes, and means for interpos:

ing said shield bet-ween the saidfbrush and inoperative position.

Q9. Apparatus of the class described comprising means for imparting aforward movement to a skin, a pivotedframe, rotary brushes .journalledin the frame at opposite sides of its pivotal axis, the brush most reiiimote from the advancing skin. turning oppositely to the direction ofmovement of the skin,.a\shield interposable between the lat- -ter brushand the skin, and power actuated means for tilting the frame andforinoving the shield.

40. Apparatus of the class described comprising a support, means formoving askin forwardly across the support, means for brushing thesurface of the advancing skin comprising a pair of rotary brushes, meansfor shifting the brushes alternately into contact with the skin, meansforv rotating the brushes in opposite directions, a shield as- 'sociatedwith that brush which "turns oppositely to the direction of movement ofthe skin, and means for interposi-ng the shield between thebrush andskin when the brush is in inoperative position. i

41. Apparatus of the class described comprising a tilting brush frame, ashaft supporting the frame, a crank secured to the shaft, an oscillatorybrushshield, a crank for swinging the shield, a pneumatic motor havingareciprocating piston rod, a yoke lever pivoted between its ends to thepiston rod, a link connecting one end of the yoke lever to the shieldcrank, a link connecting the other end of the lever to the brush framecrank, a coiled spring encircling the first link and opposing movementof the shield toward operation position, and a coiled spring encirclingthe second link and opposing tilting of the frame in one direction.

42. Apparatus of the class described comprising means for impartingforward movement to a skin. a pivoted frame, a rotary brush journalledin the frame atone side of its pivotal axis, said brush turningoppositely to the movement of the advanc ng skin, a shield interposablebetween the brush and the skin, the shield being disposed between theskin and brush when the latter is raised to inoperative position, afluidmotor, [and means actuated thereby for tilt ng the frame to movesaid brush to inoperative position-and subsequently to move the shieldbetween the skin and brush.

43. Apparatus of the class described comprising means for imparting aforward movement to a skin, a pivoted frame, rotary brushes journalledin the frame'at opposite sides of is pivotal axis, the brush most'remote from the advancing skin turning oppositely thereto, a shieldinterposa ble between the latter brush and the skin, the shield beingdisposed between the skin and said brush when the latter is raised toinoperative position, a reciprocating member, a yoke pivoted to saidmember, and connections be- .tween the opposite ends of the yoke and thetilting frame and shield respectively, said connections being soconstructed and arranged that the movement of the shield precodes thatof the frame as said reciprocating member moves in one direction andfollows that of the frame as the reciprocating member comes in theopposite direction. v

.44. Apparatus of the class described comforwardly across the support,means for brushing the surface of the advancing skin comprising a pairof rotary brushes, means prising .a support, means for moving a skin Ifor shifting the brushes alternately into contact with the skin, meansfor rotating the brushes in opposite directions. a pivotally supportedshield associated with that brush which turns oppositely .to thedirection of movement of the skin, and means, operating 7 45. Apparatusof the class described com- I prising meansfor feeding a skin forwardlyin a given direction, means for brushing the skin comprising'a pair ofoppositely ro-.

tating brushes, the brush last to be engaged by the advancing skinturning oppositely to the direction of movement of the skin, means formoving the brushes alternately into contact with the skin, a curvedshield for the brush which 'turns oppositely. to the travel of the skin,and means for interposing the shield between the skin and said brushwhen tge latter is moved out ofcontact with the s in. a

46. Apparatus of the class described comprising means for imparting aforward movement to a skin, a pivoted frame, rotary brushesjournalled inthe frame at opposit sides of its pivotal axis, the brush most remotefrom the advancing skin turning oppositely thereto, a shieldinterposable between the latter brush and the skin, the shield beingdisposed between the skin and brush (when the latter is tilted toinoperative position, a motor having a reciprocable drive iii " rod, alever pivoted at a point intermediate I its ends to the rod, linksconnecting opposite ends of the lever to actuating means for i theshield and tilting frame I respectively, and springs opposingmovement ofone link in one direction and of the other link in'the oppositedirection.

4.7. Apparatus of the class described comprising means for imparting aforward movement to a skin, a pivoted frame, rotary brushes journalledin the frame at opposite sides of its p-ivotal'axis, the brush mostremote from the advancing skin turning op- .positely'thereto, a shieldinterposable between the latter brush and the skin, the shieldbeingdisposed between the sk and brush when the latter is tilted toinoperativeposition, crank arms; for moving the shield and tiltingfraine respectively, a fluid motor having a reciprocating piston rod, ale\ er pivotally secured midway its ends to said rod, :1 link connectingeach end of the rod respectively tothe respectivecrank arms, and meansopposing predetermined resistance to movement of one link in onedirection and of the other link in the opposite direction.

48. Apparatus of the class described com? prising a tiltable brushframe, a shaft supporting the frame, a crank secured to, the shaft, anoscillatory brush shield, a crank for turning it, a pneumatic motorhaving a reciprocating piston-rod, ayoke lever pivoted between its.endsto the piston rod, a spring opposing movement of one end of. the yoke inone direction, and links connecting the opposite ends of the yoke leverto the shield crank and the framecrank respectively;

49. Apparatus of the class described comprising) means for imparting aforward movement to a skin, a pivoted frame, rotary brushes journalledin the/frame at opposite sides of its pivotal axis, the brush mostremote from the advancing skin turning oppositely thereto, a shieldinterposable between the latter brush and the skin, the shield beingdisposed between the skin and brush when the latter is tilted .ininoperative position, means normally holding said brush in inoperativeposition, power actuated means operative first to remove the shield frombetween the brush and skin and then to tilt the frame to place suchbrush in operative position, said power actuated means spectively forbrushin the forward and rearv portions of a skin fe over the support bysaid feeddevices, an automatic means for bringing one or the other ofsaid brush devices into operative relation to the skin actuated by theposition of the skin in the device.-

Signed b y me at Boston, Massachusetts,

this12th day of November, 1925.

JOSEPH n. WALCOTT.

